It was in the
air the.
Senate come to order Senator. Thank you Mr President good morning will you join me
in the pledge I pledge allegiance to the. State.
Saying one nation under God.
This began please call around and you are. Excused
bacon excused void.
Both Cadman care all foster
care on. Grantham. Because no one. Heard Me
Heath your cards. Back John Johnston came
to King as. Lambert Lemberg Mitchell.
Excused. Morris noble Newell
Nicholson Renfro. Excused Roberts
shuffle Schwartz excused.
SPENCE stud men touch up why Williams.
Mr President here. Thirty present your absent five excuse we have
a quorum scenario. This week Senator Morse.
The journal OK. Thank you Mr President I move that journal of
April eleventh. The reading of the Journal of April Levin be dispensed with in the
journal be adopted as corrected by the secretary in motion all in favor say aye all
oppose now. Oh shit is that so I thought you were at
a couple construction I apologise maybe reports. And we're going to listen to old
Mr President Camille visit the Pentagon she hasn't because recent ending up front
with the records will be good for members the board of assessing appeals for terms
aspiring July first as a fifteen James R.
Marigold Colorado reported sundered a member say of Democrat
a reporter for terms from July first as a twelve make
a tally of Silvertone Call reported then in degrees of we recalled about
a reported lead to Hansen a Democrat wrote a report and it was
a miracle of Democrat a reappointed Greg a mere of we recalled about
a report in and E.J.
Williams of painkiller and gage of Colorado engaged in agriculture
a point and it will lead to those told Mr President
a committee and business they were technology hasn't
a source and then anyone following them is
a regular confirmed member the state electrical board which I'm responding and July
first doesn't fourteen Thomas P.
Fox of Steamboat Springs told us it was
a general contractor who gave the building industry appointed people love in two
thousand and twelve many of his letters acknowledge it because resumes can emerge
following symbol wanted to speak for the committal with
a we're going to be placed on the calendar it will lead to that's walking into
somebody not because personally it's going to be simple once you get to missiles
and somebody's going to find it's with
a Brooklyn recommendation it will go to doesn't twelve's Mr President continue to
show as a comparison and having a phone call as
a response because for me to call the Commission on Judicial the discipline
effective Jefferson for terms by June thirty thousand fifteen I was first
a Democrat of us or was not attorney because of the resignation of Joe Samuel
appointed they became Democrat us it was a non attorney reappointed Frederico C.
Alvarez
a Democrat roasters attorney appointed an effective October fourteenth one for
terms by June thirtieth two thousand and fifteen David Lee deal of public all
research is not
a tree because of the resin of Judy we're. Publicolor zero one and people into this
new community to share because person most recently hospital and thirty get most
wanted awfully people to this talk will look we're going to source and was going to
sign us we're told it to be for private communications. So that services report. If
a person is in trouble right now because insurers and thirty one quick are going to
learn quickly revise hospital any twenty seven. General Orders Second bring in
bills Consent Calendar center Steadman.
In Motion all in favor say aye or pose no motion passes the Senate will resolve
itself into the committee hold for consideration General Motors saying rebuilds
consent counter sender said we'll take the chair.
Idea. Well.
We'll see. The committee will come to
order and we're going to add Senator Aguilar. And I know that you would do
that. And Senator Mitchell to the roll call.
There I will try to add them to the roll call if not that will happen later up
Senator Morse. Thank you Mr Chairman.
We just ask that Senate Bill one zero six be removed from the Consent Calendar that
bill will be removed from the Consent Calendar just to be down would you please
read the title to all of the bills on the general order second reading Consent
Calendar. What the ten thirteen by because if they won't senator making history
procedurally to send it to statewide initiative title board and
a bill twenty six listener chemistry stagey will that creates
a statement on local government surveillance with your personal information of
bankers or the secretary of state's online business faces in the connection with
others in his part of the system into designing commercial rights traditions and
changes reporting in today's anniversary month as what's on
a number of them going to be sent to characters in the uniform electrical legal
material like in connection with making appropriation as what others expose of them
summers and Senator Johnson the regulation of general solicitation in connection
with making appropriation Sen Morse thank you Mr Chairman I move the following
bills on second reading Consent Calendar and ask for an I vote House bill thirteen
thirteen Senate bill twenty six Senate Bill one twenty three House bill twelve zero
nine and House bill twelve thirty six did you also move the committee. You know I
did not but I should of you right sorry Mr Chairman I also move the associated
committee reports which includes the local government committee reports the Senate
bill twenty six and the Appropriations Committee report to Senate Bill one twenty
three will first take up the committee reports is there any discussion of the
motion before the committee is for the adoption of the committee reports to the
bills on the Consent Calendar on favor please say I propose no eyes have it the
reports are adopted to the bills so that in Morse's move the adoption of all the
bills on the second reading Consent Calendar all in favor please say I oppose no
eyes have it those bills are adopted Senator Morse thank you Mr Chairman I move the
committee risin report you've heard the motion on favor say I oppose no eyes have
it the committee will rise and report.
So I don't come back to understand it thank you Mr President your committee the
hall has had several bills under consideration on its Consent Calendar and asked
the clerk to please read the report to us until Mr President can you know basically
to report as
a consumer something to us was missing on the brain they're up and they start going
to sentence about twenty six the missile launches resume in
a process of getting older and goes must come if they're going to I'm final passage
as well thirteen thirteen hospital night hospital thirty six passing her business
kind of hundred thirty and kind of has it I'm
a little sick from the from the general or second to Bill's concern counterparts in
general Second me because Conover Mabel's felt his wealth stolen Thank you Mr
President I move the adoption of the report of the Committee of the home just to
make sure if you want everything just right let's add center and you are and here
Mitchell to the right so anybody else who showed up late that we haven't added to
the roll call so Chatman. Question for the body is the adoption report the
committee the whole are there any no votes. With thirty two eyes you knows you have
sent three excuse report the committee the whole is it up. Generators ignoring
a bill's final general are signaling
a bill Senator seven. Different
emotional in favor say aye all oppose now. Motion has
a motion said it will resolve itself into the commute home for consideration
general orders securing bills interstate no take the chair.
The other. Again.
The committee will come to order and the coat rule is relaxed Senator Morse thank
you Mr Chairman I move that the committee take up Senate Bill four at this time you
heard the motion all in favor Senator Lambert. Thank you Mr Chair Mr Chair I think
a substitute motion that we proceed out of order for House Bill thirteen thirty
five. And I move House Bill three hundred thirty five Senator Levin I don't believe
that Bill is on our second reading calendar today so that motion is out of order
we're back to Senator Morse it's
a motion sensor Lambert thank you Senator Stedman But this is the long bill and you
know if we pass this today we might be able just take next week off so. I think you
are the chair or we might be able to do that I think it's you sir I think she
thought but I'm afraid that's out of order the motion is to proceed out of order
for the consideration of Senate bill for all in favor say aye opposed no ice have
it will take up Senate before Mr McGowan Please read the title to Senate before
before the Senate or for some reason the consequence of the creation of
a percent or a preference or
a grant from attorneys manufacturing United States senator Foster thank you Mr
Chairman I'd like to move Senate Bill four and I'd like
to. Move the local government committee report. The the
committee report substituted one and the Appropriations Committee Report Senator
for us to restart with the Appropriations Committee report of so I will start
a local government committee report if you can please address that report thank you
Mr Chair. In their local government committee report we.
Substituted one million dollars to two hundred fifty thousand dollars
and the cost of the goods manufactured outside of the US can't exceed fifteen
percent and the Appropriations Committee found the costs were recoverable.
We're on consideration of the local government committee report is there any
further discussion the motion before the committee is the adoption of the local
government committee report on say replace
a I I oppose No the ice helmet and the report is adopted Senator Foster to the
appropriations report. To procreation three point I I just. The
report. We just adopted the local affiliate reporting there from the Appropriations
Committee I move the Appropriations Committee and they found that the costs were
recoverable. Is there further discussion of the Appropriations Committee report
saying on the question before the committee is the adoption of the preparations
report on favorably say I oppose no ice have it the report is adopted Senator
Foster to the Bill thank you Mr Chair just
a moment of personal privilege I just wanted to share with everyone that my oldest
grandchild Abigail been Foster is sitting over here and she is my protection this
morning. And I'm thrilled to have her so.
Why does this bill seek to address. The
recession has been hard on our manufacturing sector we need to utilize our tax
dollars to ensure that we are taking every necessary step to support businesses in
Colorado and the United States Senate Bill four provides
a modest incentive to do just that. This is by
USA Let me just kind of share with you
a personal experience before I go into the myriad of facts that I have growing up
in Baton Harbor Michigan in the very early fifty's. And till I left town and
sixty one my mom and dad had
a very small business called the dress Mart it was kind of the precursor
to the Romans that you see today the big moments where you go in and you buy. Goods
that are overruns and whatever so my mom and dad were very smart and they thought
that this would be great so as
a small little business that opened up in the garage behind our house on East Main
Street in Benton Harbor. They decided to sell.
Dresses children stresses they carried from a size three to
a size fifty two it might not be very exciting for all of you but this was back in
the fifty's. We would go with my parents to market the market
wasn't going to the market as we see it today. It was going to the
manufacturing plants in Chicago. We would drive from Baton Harbor
Michigan to Chicago and my mom and dad would buy the overruns that they had made
for Monk on reward and for other stores they would be the they would buy the out
they were called the out if you know if you are in business you know that there is
a surplus of different things and they would buy the out and they were able then to
sell them at
a very discounted rate. It was
a tough business but they went straight to the manufactures and some of you sitting
in this room probably more on my side of the aisle because they're
a little younger on the left side of the aisle here yeah well not known actually
there's more I'm not going to go there. There is that there was
a company when I was growing up called Jonathan Logan and it made wonderful dresses
wonderful dresses and that's where we went to their manufacturing business in
Chicago and we would buy from them and manufacturers
reps would come to my mom and dad store. And all of the goods that they bought
were made in the USA. As
a matter of fact there were Japanese products were being sold at that time and my
mom and dad said no we're not buying anything from Japan or elsewhere we're buying
USA made. Products and. I didn't think
anything of it that's you know I live lived here whatever. Well that they're all
gone. Majority of manufacturing plants have gone and I'll go into
that later and others I'm sure will bring up information on that.
But. It was
a way of life for us and it was our source of income so I know from small
little tiny stores there were only two people that worked in the store my mom and
my dad and then of course me my sister and brother. We had to help out.
So I know what losing manufacturing in the United States feels like.
And I think the goal of this bill as I'm looking at the flags at my house over the
weekend my United States flags my American flags are all made in
China so I think the goal of of this bill ultimately will be
won't it be wonderful when the flags. When when the when
China actually outsources to us and say Would you start making the flags of China
in the United States wouldn't that be interesting. I don't know I'm an
optimist. That's
a pretty far reach. Between June of two thousand and June of two thousand and seven
we lost five point three million manufacturing jobs as
a result of the non-petroleum trade deficit including over forty three thousand in
Colorado. This is from the Economic Policy Institute two thousand and seven
research between two thousand and seven and February two thousand and twelve the
domestic economy has lost two point one manufacturing jobs and that's according to
the U.S.
Department of Labor Statistics February two thousand and ten. According to an
article by Richard McCormick in the January February two thousand and ten issue of
the American Prospect manufacturing employment dropped eleven point seven million
dollars eleven point seven million in October of two thousand and nine
a loss of five point five million or thirty two percent of all manufacturing jobs
since two thousand two thousand the last time fewer than twelve million people
worked in the manufacturing sector was in nineteen forty one just the three years
before I was born. In October of two thousand and nine more people were officially
unemployed fifteen point seven million then were working in manufacturing.
What are the details of this legislation the bill would provide
a one percent bid preference for state contracts over two hundred fifty thousand
dollars where the bitter agrees to utilize products produced in the United States
to execute state contracts this bill does not mandate that
state contract only use domestic products and materials and it is very important to
make this distinction. Colorado has
a low bid procurement system bidders who qualify for the one percent preference
will still have to win the lowest bid within
a competitive process in order to get the work. In many cases companies that use
non domestic products may still be able to win the lowest bid However by
incentivizing the use of domestic products the state of Colorado will be sending
a message that we support domestic manufacturing and that we when our tax dollars
prioritized in this way. And next and I'm going to say this and please listen to me
because we've heard this over and over again on
a recent very recent bill and I want to make this very clear the question
does this legislation conflict with international trade agreements the answer
No The Senate bill for has specific language specifying that this legislation does
not contravene any treaty law agreement or regulation of the United States and I
will say it over and over and over again when the comments I hear that we will not
be doing international trade that this gets in the way. We have laws in place we
are part of NAFTA we are part of the W T O. There are many many
countries in the W T O that qualify for this and there are observing countries in
the W T O observing countries are not full fledged members China being one India
being one. Forty nations including the United States
Japan South Korea and many other nations have signed the deputy O.
Agreement which would not make Senate bill for applicable to products produced. In
there in those nations meaning for all purposes manufactured goods from those
nations would be considered domestic. Please be
sure you understand that let me just give you another little bit of personal
history and ninth in two thousand I went with the. City and
County of Denver on the first international trade mission to Shanghai.
I respect Mayor Webb very much and the World Trade Center went with us and we all
went because we wanted to develop trade with Shanghai it was
a city to city international trade office we opened it in two thousand
and it was closed about two thousand and four. Was when
a new administration came in. And the goal on our part was to
develop trade between cities international trade. But sometimes
when all there all we're doing is importing. Something doesn't
work exporting its last lot of stuff and I'm not so much from Colorado
whatever went to China but China really you know we have
a good we had
a good relationship with Shanghai the city of Shanghai and the goal was lofty it
didn't work as
a matter of fact two years after that the state of Colorado closed their
international trade office in London. Closed the International Trade Office in
London. So you know.
So what what would the bill raise the cost of state contracts by fifteen percent
no. The answer is No The bill allows for
a price differential of fifteen percent for domestic products however remember that
the beter still has to win the competitive bid while they may get
a one percent preference to use domestic products they would still have to
structure their bid in
a way to make them competitive bidders using products over fifteen percent higher
in cost would not qualify for the one percent preference and frankly would likely
price themselves out of competition for the bid. Can we afford to fiscal note I
believe we should be utilizing every available resource to prioritize the use of
our tax dollars to support domestic manufacturing and American jobs well
not insignificant this cost is
a reasonable investment by the state of Colorado to support jobs here at home.
When they say oh my goodness it's going to be so complicated to figure everything
out in the. In the purchasing department and everything well my ten years on the
Denver City Council provided me the opportunity to look at
a lot of the contracts they always chose
a different city council person to evaluate the contracts with their purchasing
department mechanisms are in place if departments don't want to do something I
promise you they won't not do it and they will stand in your way but if you want to
get something done you have to pursue and pursue and pursue
you know. Friends when we opened up when we opened up Denver International
Airport. Finally in one thousand nine hundred five the goal
from the city and county of Denver. Was to have locally
own businesses at D I A. That was profound
that was significant no other airport in the country was as committed to having
local businesses run. Local people at
a big airport big international airport. So
a lot of the contracts they were fairly bit big and they went to locally local
people it was amazing it was amazing today some of them have sold it
to some of the big conglomerates but you will still see local people running
a lot of the shops at Denver International Airport. It was
a thought it was
a stretch at that time people said no you can't do that but where there's
a will there's
a way and. And it's been very successful D.I.I.
Is probably one of the most successful airports in the name in the world. But this
isn't about da It's about our tax dollars when we when
we do bid and we have bid out there and we want people to
come and bid on it I think that this is fair I think that this is.
It shouldn't be the cutting edge quite frankly because there are other states that
do this. But I think that Colorado this incredible state that we live in why don't
we take the leadership why don't we take the lead and say we have committed we are
committed to doing business and buying buying America.
Let's do the best we can i hope you will support this senator Nicholson.
Thank you Mr Chairman when I heard Senate bill for war in the local government
committee and I example came to mind what if. Western
State College in the middle of
a natural disaster of pine beetle killed lodgepole pine
sided to build
a new building on the campus and heated with wood pellets.
When it be wonderful if we could use the wood
pellets that are produced in this country to take care of our own national forests
provide local jobs and heat that building instead of.
Importing wood pellets from Canada which we do now in
fact it's
a bigger market than the market in our own country at the same time our forests I
really struggling to be healthy. Any examples that I was can think of
that's just one where we could give
a reference in the bidding process to not only do the right thing in terms of
taking care of our own environment and. Producing heat spending last fall
fossil fuel resources but it would also mean that we were providing local jobs
and providing this additional preference for contractors who are willing to bid on
a contract and use some. Products that are produced and
country as you know foster reminded us this bill would provide
a one percent big profits for state contracts over two hundred fifty thousand where
the better agrees to utilize products produced in the United States like wood
pellets to execute state contracts this bill does not mandate that the state
contract only use domestic products and materials it's important to make that
distinction Colorado has
a little bit procurement system bidders who qualify for the one percent preference
well still have to win the lowest bid within the competitive bid process in order
to get the work in many cases companies that used to Mystic products may still be
able to win the lowest bid However by incentivizing the use of domestic products
Colorado will be sending
a message that we support domestic manufacturing and that we want our tax dollars
to pay royalties this way we support Senator.
Senator noble. Thank you Mr Chairman. And you know I have to say that
you know I said I will so in the local government committee and you know Senator
Foster definitely has a big heart and when she brings
a bill forward I definitely understand that her heart is into it and she believes
she's doing the right thing this kind of reminds me of you know the old fable you
know we were told we were kids about the man that tries to help the butterfly out
of the could coon and he sees the struggle when he feels that butterfly that
trying to trying to come out of struggling and takes pity on that on that butterfly
and then basically gets a pair of scissors and tries to help that butterfly out of
a cocoon and lo and behold all of
a sudden the butterfly can't fly because it's still got the bloated body it hasn't
gone through the struggle that actually allows it to force the fluid up into its
wings so it becomes strong it can fly and survive I think that's what this bill
helps do it's helping the butterfly out of cocoon so when I talk about
a couple of things I don't believe this is
a jobs bill unless we're talking about the four employees give me two stupid simple
time employees the first year and four employees the second year that are going to
be required to oversee this. And it really sends the wrong message about Colorado
to the world and we heard this I want to be for the testimony that we heard from
the governor's own Office of Economic Development as presented by this legit by
their legislative liaison and policy advisor Jennifer Newcastle You know as well as
Sandra Boylan the international trade director they stated that this conflicts with
the objectives of their office to promote colon around zero as
a place for foreign investors to set up
a local operation that employs. Colorado citizens and to promote exports from
Colorado companies they testified that this actually hurts their chances to attract
foreign investment. One of the comments one of the key things we bring up is that
Colorado that they brought up is that cold weather does not have these procurement
rules versus Arizona and other states that actually gives us
a competitive advantage that we show the world that we're willing to compete we're
strongly willing to compete. We also received
a letter beating up on the Canadians I guess we don't want to buy their ballots and
I don't know I'm used to hockey matches but I'm not sure what we have against the
Canadians but if Canadians can actually do
a better job producing what pellets we should be buying Canadian what ballots we
should be asking ourselves why can't we I think with the transportation costs and
everything else actually compete in that area. The legality of this bill is in
serious question but we've heard that it doesn't it doesn't impact foreign trade
but that's going to mean to be seen but Colorado currently exports seven point
three billion dollars in products and six and
a half billion dollars in services let's not mess it up this bill sends the wrong
message that we're not willing to promote open trade in competition no testimony
was presented to show any increase in jobs except the public government jobs and
again I want to take
a hard look at the fiscal note two hundred five thousand dollars for the first year
and at least two hundred. Two hundred seventy five thousand dollars the next year.
There was
a comment regarding what might be great if we can make flags for China I'm not
looking forward to that day I'm hoping they were manufacturing other things other
than just flags but if that's what it takes to get us up to the next level find one
manufacturer flags but I think we can dream bigger and better than manufacturing
flags from China I don't you know vote on this. Senator Schaffer.
Thing is chair and members I just rise to support this bill I have taken the
occasion to come down here and speak on bills that I believe are jobs bills job
creation bills I believe that this falls in that category I think this is another
one of those commonsense bill swear when we talk about you know state procured
procurement and we talk about you know where we buy our goods if we can buy goods
from either Colorado specific companies or United States for American specific
companies the same same thing that people at home are trying to do in response to
support their neighbors and their friends who have businesses on Main Street so I
think that this is one of those one of those opportunities again to use our buying
power our you know the tax revenues are coming to the state that we are stewards of
to help facilitate growth in the economy and put people to work so I would
encourage and I have
a. Further discussion instead of before Senator Foster. Thank
you Mr Chair. So let me go back to the discussion when the governor's
office came in and testified against this bill. They were terribly misinformed.
And I shared that information with them and it wasn't the governor's office that's
misinformed it was these two people that testified that were mis informed yesterday
we heard also about
a letter that many of us received from from Canada this will do
nothing this is part of the trade agreement we have the trade agreement with with
Canada we are doing business with Canada we are doing business with Qatar
and the fields in Qatar this does nothing and they were mis
informed when I tell you friends that I worked with the International Trade Office
in two thousand two thousand and one. I was and my goal is to
support international trade I do but France is it fair you tell
me is it fair when we manufacture steel imports blow.
That and and then we have to work with China. And all of it and all of
the and all of the Chinese steel. Is. Is
given so they were given so much extra money support to do their work in
transportation bring it over we are at
a disadvantage. Why should we in the state of Colorado quite frankly.
Ruin our ruin our still industry in Pueblo Why can't we enhance that industry why
do we have to have them compete with the Chinese. You know quite frankly I don't
get it I don't get it being at
a disadvantage. It has nothing it will do nothing
to ruin our relationship with any other country that is part of the World
Trade Organization. Nothing other states this
is as I said Illinois put this together back in the ninety's and I want to make
another thing perfectly clear to all of you most of us bring most of us are asked
by different departments or different agencies or different organizations to come
and lobby for them on their legislation to bring legislation this is my own
legislation you need to know that this is my own legislation my
constituents have been coming to me for the past four years Joyce why can't we do
something why can't we do something about bringing manufacturing back to the United
States. I am not carrying the water for business obviously who seem to be against
it. Labor likes it now changes were made they've been helpful because they've
they've informed me about
a couple of different things it has nothing this will not help labor.
This will help all of us. The people of Colorado the people of the
United States of America. Sometimes we have to begin to look out for
ourselves first you know when you're on an airplane and the and the flight
attendant says. When the accident comes down put your mask on first so you can
help the people sitting next to you we got to help ourselves first in this case we
have to help ourselves first so that we can help the people sitting next to us. I
think it's
a very very important bill for all of us that represent constituents in this great
state of Colorado. For the discussion of Senate bill for Senator Lambert.
Thank you Mr Chairman I'll be brief I just want to come over and say good morning
to Senator foster because I. Haven't had too many people here.
Debating you or anything but I just want to mention actually center Foster you
mentioned the letter from the Canadian consulate and you know we covered
that adequately I think the last couple days. But I just would remind the committee
that this is actually the Canadian letter from
a lot on ARM Azizi the consulate chargé d'affaires here in Denver
actually it was not just about Senate Bill one it's also about Senate Bill four
specifically mentioned in there as something that was going to put stress on the
Canadian relationship we have with the state of Colorado but I just want to mention
that put that give
a little clarity to that and I thank you Senator Foster for reminding us that the
governor's Office of Economic Development did come to the Committee to testify
against this bill. I think that's what you've said so. So I just asked for
a no vote on the bill. Senator here on. Thank you Mr Chair and I
rise in support of this bill and I really appreciate center Foster bringing this
because in particular it. Effects and could have some great effects on on
public and are still industry and so I certainly believe that by America provisions
and if Centive support Colorado jobs and Colorado businesses. You know we leave our
manufacturing sector vulnerable for example when we buy steel and iron
from foreign countries. And so when taxpayer dollars are invested in highway
projects and infrastructure projects they should be spent on American goods. With
companies like everyone else still that makes company make still right here in
Colorado there's no reason why we need to go to countries like China Russia Brazil
. They should be doing it for us we can do it ourselves by strengthening buy
American Centive we not only support American jobs but we eliminate the need
to rely on foreign nations for vital manufacturing products and materials.
Buy American provisions support American companies and workers by giving up
preference to our domestically produced products again like iron and steel and
manufactured goods in infrastructure projects products that could receive
a preference in our state so I believe that in these tough economic times we need
to do whatever we can to encourage manufacturing in the United States I want to see
by America I want to see that again do you remember has choice talked about I want
to see that again too and this incentive could not only ensure that our people are
protected with the best products and equipment because we know the regulations
that we have to make sure that we have excellent products so that helps protect our
people and our quick moment and it preserves most importantly it's going to
preserve manufacturing jobs right here in Colorado so I really want to say Thank
you Joyce probably thinks you and less buy America Senator Lautenberg.
Thank you Mr Chairman Bers I think we ought to buy American wherever it makes sense
and I think we ought to buy the products that the state can afford. And we ought to
look after the taxpayers' dollars and what I see in Senate bill for is
a subsidy it's subsidizing the. System it's costing the
taxpayers that much more and. I guess the budget must be much more
flushed and then I thought if we can afford the subsidy but I don't think we can
afford the subsidy I believe that we need to be strict with the taxpayers' dollars
and I believe that the state of Colorado should have good healthy businesses that
are competitive. And Senate bill for. Instead of.
Encouraging that competition subsidize is not
a good idea oh no. Senator novel.
Thank you Mr Chairman Well I don't think this bill is going to do much one way or
the other except cost us more money but I did find
a pair of scissors so Senator Foster I want to leave this with you if you needed
help with that kind of help that butterfly out so again you know we talked about
some last little under thirteen billion dollars worth of net exports that we do out
of Colorado every year and I think if you've been in business it's very easy to
understand that people that do business do business with you because you do
business with them or you have
a common bond when you put up trade barriers which this is we can call it whatever
we want we can call it a preference but if one person's preference is
a barrier for another person and that's what we're doing here so when we put up
barriers with trade and we have the governor's office come in and tell us that's
not
a good idea I think we should listen so again I still urge no vote but I will leave
the scissors for you Senator just in case. Senator. Thank you
Mr Chairman and I just wanted to point out two things One is that we have been
given an opinion that and obviously it's in contradiction to what the Canadian
minister has been given that this is not over rule out or impinge on any other
thing that we already have for trade but I also want to point out that I'm page six
lines run through five it specifically says that it's not intended to contravene
any existing treaty live remain a rule of the U.S.
. And I think that that concern is moot and Eriksen I thought Senator
Foster. Thank you Mr Chair senator have I really don't you this is
yours but thank you. The question for the committee is the adoption of Senate bill
not to set some also just thank you thank you Mr Chair. Let me read
a letter to you. From
a company in Colorado and I was honored because Casey actually gave this to me
they're not supporting it of course she's not supporting it but they gave me I have
a letter from one of their companies. I sematic and I'm quite I don't not quite
sure which district they're in thank you for the senator Foster thank you for the
opportunity to comment on the proposed legislation Senate bill zero zero four to
create
a procurement preference for materials manufactured in the United States my Ohio
Quitman L.L.C.
. Also Known As I sematic fully supports this proposal it's not
a big association it's just
a big company I sematic has been manufacturing ice making equipment exclusively in
Denver for over fifty years and we currently employed nearly two hundred people in
our Denver manufacturing facility in addition over eighty percent of the components
and raw materials that go into the production of our products are sourced
domestically our industry is represented by
a small number of competitors most of which are located in the United States but in
recent years we have experienced and this is the important part of this letter and
I don't think it would should fall on deaf ears but in recent years we have
experienced increasing competition from foreign suppliers who are able to provide
similar products albeit of a lower quality at
a favorable pricing. We believe such competition is healthy it forces us in
argumentative competition to continually improve the quality and technology of our
products as well as continue to drive down costs and improve our operating
efficiencies However we would welcome any assistance such as that included in
the proposed legislation that would allow us to level the playing field with our
foreign competitors and continue to add jobs in Colorado we
would be glad to offer any further assistance you may need to ensure this bill is
passed signed Stephen feather C.F.O.
I sematic. Pretty compelling I review my
motion for Senate bill for the adoption of Senate bill for Senator
Lambert. Thank you Mr Chairman members I was
a little delinquent because there's another letter that opposes this bill that's I
should bring to your attention very briefly this is from the director of the World
Trade Center Denver. And I won't belabor this too much but.
As part of this letter they said we have diverse help develop and support the
growth of exports from Colorado I guess it's export that would be
a Colorado product that's sent out of the state so we get money into the state for
Colorado products but they don't develop to support the growth projects from
Colorado from under two billion dollars in one nine hundred eighty nine to almost
eight billion in two thousand and eight. In order to change that success Colorado
must preserve
a level playing field for international businesses investing in Colorado and for
our Colorado companies when they seek to do business in other states and foreign
countries including bidding on government projects in those countries these bills
Senate bill once in
a bill for House Bill thirteen send the wrong message to our foreign investors and
to markets outside the state where Colorado companies seek to do business he
concludes letter by saying Don't tie the hands of our Colorado based companies by
enacting protectionist legislation to us time when we are promoting international
trade and investment side Scott Craig McGinnis president World Trade Center Denver
Please vote no. The motion before the committee
is the adoption of Senate bill for Sen Morse.
Thank you Mr President I rise in support of this bill as well I think it is very
important that the taxpayers of Colorado not subsidize in any way shape or form the
outsourcing of U.S.
Jobs manufacturing US manufacturing jobs they are so important to our economy
they're the base of our economy they generate all kinds of secondary jobs so let's
make sure that we have as many U.S.
Manufacturing jobs as we can and let's make sure that Colorado taxpayers do not in
any way subsidize outsourcing U.S.
Manufacturing jobs vote yes on this bill. The motion before the committee is the
adoption of Senate Bill four and second reading on favorably say I. Oppose no. Eyes
have it the bill is adopted Senator Morse. Thank you Michelle and I move that the
committee take up the House bill thirteen twenty one at this time. The motion is to
proceed out of order for consideration of House Bill thirteen twenty one on favor
please say I oppose no eyes have it has to be gallant Please read the title The
House bill thirteen twenty one that's what we're talking about it was an affair and
you know and Bunsen are Johnson Inc Inc You can state personnel system in
connection with the NEC in the modern history of the State Personnel System Act
Senator Johnston. Thank you Mr Chair I move house bill thirteen twenty one and move
the state veterans of Military Affairs Committee report to the committee report.
Thank you Senator Johnson we also move the appropriations report so I follow just
Mr Chair Yes I also move the Appropriations Committee Report thank you let's take
up the state veterans of military affairs report. Thank you Mr Chair So.
The state veterans and military affairs amendment make some technical changes to
the language of the bill around clarifying the relationship between comparative
analysis and multiple sections of the bill and around the personnel board to that
analysis to ask for and I vote discussion on the committee report Senator Lambert.
So for all. Will stand in the Senatorial five. This.
Many will come back to order Senator Johnston. Thank you Chad I moved the state
because Military Affairs Committee report again asked for my vote motion is for the
adoption of the State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee report all in favor
please say I oppose No the I have it and the report is adopted Senator Johnston to
the appropriations report thank you Mr Chairman the Appropriations Committee report
also made two technical changes one is to specify the definition of department from
which are versions are eligible as
a principal department because there are certain departments that don't have
aversions and. The second one and eight enables the clarifies I believe the gov to
move revenues across the departments of don't receive or versions asked for have
a. Further discussion the motion before the committee is the adoption of the
appropriations report all in favor please say I I was no eyes have it the report is
adopted we have it and then on the desk Mr McGowan would you please read the titles
of men that I was zero to five and twenty five house with thirteen twenty one
listener Lambert. Thank you Mr Chairman of L.
Zero two five. Thank you please proceed Thank you Mr Chair.
Or to five is there's some language in this bill that actually. Let's say over
specifies how the joint budget committee has to actually draw the line items in the
long bill it is very inflexible I've worked with both bill sponsors here in the
Senate in both bill sponsors in the House and with the governor's office and I am
told with the state controller through the governor's office everybody is in favor
of this Memmott my Would they that be accepted as
a family member Senator King. Thank you Mr Chairman this is
a friendly amendment in I want to thank Senator Lambert for looking at this issue
and making sure the practical nature of it pans out and works so as for. The motion
before the committee is the adoption of Amendment two five all in favor please say
I oppose no. Eyes have it and the amendment is adopted we are to the bill
Senator Johnston thank you Mr share. I feel like I should be standing in the back
corner of the room to actually get to my senators where they are back there but
I'll all assume that all the fun that's happening I will be invited to after we
pass the bill the bill Senator John thank you Mr Chair So the House bill thirteen
twenty one this is the statutory change that accompanies the H.C.R.
That we passed last week on personnel reform I think an incredibly ambitious and
and timely piece of legislation that's been clabber we worked on with
a great number of parties to make some key changes to the state personnel system I
would just outline quickly the two most important parts of the statute that align
with the concurrent resolution the first is the provisions around bumping rights
which clarifies now that under that for say workers if they are released from
a position that they no longer have the media ability to bump any junior employees
beneath them out of open positions there is an exception for employees than five
years of retirement to make sure people at the very end of their careers are not
hurt by that but it's I think
a dramatic and important step towards twenty first century hiring practices around
making sure that these people have access to opportunities for jobs without
eliminating hardworking employees who've been there previously
a second component equally important is the adjustment of merit pay provisions we
used to have
a performance pay system which people have heard the concerns about for
a long time that we most notably of which we created two separate budget lines one
for base salary and the other for pay for performance but we never actually funded
the pay for performance section and so for the last twelve years we've only had
four times where that has been even and even partially funded and so we've had
state employees who have been here and serving incredibly well for us who have been
stuck in the bottom parts of their salary range and years over years we now have
sometimes new employees who are coming in are actually making more on their first
year than some employees who've been here seven eight ten years and so what this
tries to do is eliminate the performance pay system that was faulty unified. Add
that into one line item that does include
a new merit pay system which still looks at
a combination of people's evaluation ratings on one axis but also on where they are
in the salary range so that we prioritize people who have been left at the bottom
of their salary range for way too long and as money comes in it immediately allows
us to be to prioritize moving those folks are in the bottom part of their range so
it keeps
a real focus on on merit and on evaluation but it also is attentive to the people
that have been I think neglected and unfairly kept in the bottom of range despite
strong performance so I think two very good provision that link the H.C.R.
It's
a good bill and asked for my vote and I'm happy to defer to my co-sponsor Senator
King who's been
a great partner on this Senator King I don't think you and I would just like to
reiterate what Senator Johnston So. I think this is
a phenomenal step forward for state employees in the state of Colorado we are going
to ward their effort their work we're going to award how hard they work and the
confidence that they bring to the state of Colorado. That's unique that's new
that's different and it's creative idea and it's I think something that's long
overdue and the fact that we will pay people for what they actually accomplish and
give them chances to be rewarded for what they do so. I think this is really.
Incredible stuff forward in the state of Colorado I'm proud to be part of it and
asked for and senator member. Thank you Mr Cherry And I also asked for my vote
members this does not change the Constitution of the United States does not change
the Constitution of the state of Colorado however gets close because it's the
implementing bill for
a national referendum that will vote on later to change Colorado Constitution it's
depend upon that bill and that referendum passing
a vote of the people. So if this is
a weighty Bill it's one that you should pay attention to and we only change the
personnel system the constitution every hundred two years so this this is sort of
historical also so pay it pay attention to this and vote yes
Senator Shafer they miss Cherry And I write in support of this bill as well and I
rise to crew congratulate both bill sponsors this is
a very significant step in the right direction in terms of personnel reform unite
us from. The question for the committee is the adoption of House Bill thirteen
twenty one On second reading all in favor please say I oppose no eyes have it the
bill is adopted Senator Morse.
Thank you Mr Chairman I move the committee rising report you heard the motion all
in favor please say I oppose no eyes have it the committee will rise and report to
. The.
Senate from Act one. Center statement Thank you Mr President are standing he did me
a big favor Could you make
a motion to lay over the second reading counter first. Mr President I move that the
balance of the second reading calendar lay over until tomorrow relational in favor
say aye opposed no bounce laser center said Thank you Mr President your committee
of the whole has had under consideration
a few bills and I would ask the clerk to please read the report. If you want to
listen to all Mr presenter committal based news report as an extra something that
has been second in their own takes longer to sit around suitable for them to pass
a grueling gross misconduct forgive
a passage as approaching twenty one is going to pass let's agree or to revise
discount during the passage some of the possible sum is somebody similar to house
with sixty seven congressional one House political thirty seven symbol one forty
four symbol five hundred company one hospital uniforms for twenty one hostile to
fifty nine zero one zero one simple one thirty nine symbol forty seven symbol
twenty seven symbol twenty eight House one of the three six letter until April
thirteenth returning the place on the calendar. Stand it thank you Mr President I
move the adoption of the report of the committee the whole. Question for the body
is the adoption report the committee the whole are there any no votes but if I
advise you knows your absent zero excuse report the committee the whole is adopted
. Suitable for as amended has a second reading in order and grows
a place in the count of third reading final passage House bill for T twenty one as
amended pass
a second reading were revised placed on the counter third reading final passage so
one fifty five Senate bill seventy eight Senate bill eighty six the Senate bill one
thirty two House bill Levin sixty seven concurrent resolution one House bill twelve
thirty seven Senate Bill one forty four Senate Bill five House bill ten forty one
House bill thirteen zero for House Bill twenty one House bill ten fifty nine Senate
Bill one hundred one Senate Bill one thirty nine Senate bill forty seven Senate
bill twenty seven Senate bill twenty eight House bill eleven fifty seven Senate
Bill one of six laid over until April thirteenth two thousand and twelve retaining
their place on the counter. So Morse thank you Mr President I move that we lay over
the balance of the calendar until tomorrow in motion all in favor say aye aye
there's no. Calendar is laid over until tomorrow announcements centers stand
that. Thank you Mr President members of the Appropriations Committee if I could
have your attention for just
a moment when we met last I had indicated that we were likely to meet on Friday
morning for consideration of the budget package but best laid plans don't always
work out and so we will not be meeting tomorrow morning and instead we will be
meeting on Tuesday morning at seven thirty A.M.
The house didn't get through all of the bills in the in the package and so they're
not all going to be ready for us tomorrow morning and so we will be meeting Tuesday
morning for consideration of the budget package and some of the other accompanying
the elves. There now since. So many good announcement.
So I thank you Mr President thank you for recognizing me I earlier had
a the chamber for kids from across the state of Colorado that were here on the.
School band Day proclamation if you guys were coming in on the side of the Capitol
you saw kids playing their band instruments they were here from across the state of
Colorado the governor and signed
a proclamation recognizing today as Colorado band day and I had
a resolution to give to them and honor them as well unfortunately I was not
recognized earlier this morning to be able to give that to them so they have all
left but if you happen to see any of them in the capital please. Give them
a thumbs up and thank them for being here today and give them up for recognizing
them on this great day thank you thank you so in
a way thank you Mr President I had people from my district in and throughout
Colorado the cattle women were here today they had to had to leave because they had
a meeting at nine forty five but if any of you had the pleasure of walking through
the basement this morning they were serving absolutely delicious burritos and with
homemade hot sauce and so you may have missed out on that and I feel bad for you
about that but anyway I did want to let you know that they were here and
unfortunately they had to leave and. Cattle women will tell you if you think that
you're not involved in the agriculture they will tell you that if you eat you're
involved in our agriculture so. And White thank you Mr President and I have
another announcement to make it's my pleasure today to announce that the town of
Carbondale in my district has been selected along with the city of Lafayette to
receive the governor's two thousand and twelve arts award both Carbondale in
Lafayette will be honored at the closing luncheon for the inaugural creative
industries summit which is being held in Breckenridge today and tomorrow and this
summit is held in historic downtown Breckenridge which is the new part of my
district and it highlights the importance of culture in creative industries in
Colorado tourism industry and throughout Colorado this industry actually accounts
for one hundred ninety thousand Colorado jobs and five billion dollars in Colorado
economy in terms of payroll so anyway congratulations to Carbondale and to Mary
state and to Mayor Stacy patch for winning this award.
And lumber so I want. To ask for
a moment of personal privilege you met I asked to be excused tomorrow I've spoken
to the majority leader in minority leader. Thank you so lumber.
Thank you Mr President members rather than tell you who was here I want to tell you
who will be here and that is tomorrow is the traditional event long the home
school community called home school day at the Capitol which certainly invite all
of you to be aware of that that I saw the numbers of free registered folks about
a thousand people or are
a scheduled to be here and in the area and it would certainly invite you to the
west steps of the Capitol It's twelve fifteen for
a rally that they hold and if you let them know they'll tell the people that you
were there to sell anyway please be aware of that and and probably be some folks
from your district regardless of where you are from the state. So. Thank you Mr
President well
a couple of days ago you all got this notice on your desk is. Blue and red stars
and stripes and many of you signed on as signatures for this honoring rally it's
the American military family honor rally campaign it's actually going to begin in
Fort Carson and it's
a walking rally they will walk I can't believe it but they will say they're
supposedly walking from Fort Carson to the steps of the Capitol and they will be
here Monday morning on April sixteenth and they'll be here at seven thirty I know
that's early for us but if you can be there of course if you signed up here that
didn't mean you have to be there but they would like for people to have
a showing to support the military families they are walking all the way to Illinois
believe it or not and this is
a journey it says to raise awareness to raise awareness about the needs for the
troops and their families and this is the troops in the families who have served
our great nation so hopefully you can come on Monday seven thirty Thank you.
Thank you Mr President I would ask to be excused tomorrow morning from nine am
until the close of business to attend to some activities downtown. You actually
center Grantham. Thank you Mr President you also asked me excuse tomorrow or
talk to the majority and minority leader you are excused Senator.
Thank you Mr President I request me excuse this afternoon at three fifteen you were
excused thank you further announcements so no Morse.
Thank you Mr President members the committee this morning upon
a German Finance Committee is meeting as scheduled on the committees this afternoon
which includes education and health and human services are all meeting as scheduled
and just for your planning purposes for tomorrow because I know a lot of you have
a lot going on and several different communities Tomorrow we'll do some third
reading the Consent Calendar that was on second reading today and the third reading
that we got done I'm sorry the second reading we got done today Senate bill through
and Senate. Twelve thirty seven I'm sorry that's not right two or whatever the heck
it was thirteen twenty one will do thirteen twenty one for sure I will chat with
the minority leader to see what kind of debate there might be on the Senate bill
for tomorrow on third reading and if it's going to be extended then I will just
laid out over until Monday and we can do it on Monday so that folks can get to what
they need to get to tomorrow. And before you lay things over here so much we do
have committee person signing
a Bills real quick if we could do that i do we have another announcement center.
Going. Through your porch it will come to us I'm talking education source and ask
mix my house but they're going to throw me from the to me on finance to this talk
Mr President going across from now to recent years as in the cosmos and having
a phone call Mr Goss was making from there was debris to get out there was
a congressman for terms of money for fifteen thousand fifteen he just knew that
there were Congress or. In the village from first question description image
a sugar of one of Michael of us or is
a Democrat from the second course will discuss the Continental by reappointed times
Michael Berg adventures called going to disagree upon it again
a read of when I called forth you know so disappointed Joseph David Joseph. Was
probably at the. Time some response of every call to service
a public of the second discreet going to. Live in the something rational discussion
. Mr President of course and that's was an energetic
a source and your fellow. Members of the Energy and Mineral impact assistant of
every committee for terms aspiring to it was
a fifteen style of doing OK right up wanted to be at
a lot of Grand Junction Colorado point it struck me as a person with
a physical source and it's going to present
a joint resolution sometime in France and
a final action. Mr President many civil military has of the source and then he.
Confirms the call to channel thirty board of directors for terms my October sixth
to the fifteenth of the Michael Jackson and if there was expression the business
operations of broadcast journalism to confirm Colorado Democrat reappointed John to
be cumbersome to call it until it is used in the biz operations broadcast
journalism reappointed. Bills. The president has to talk to me twice on the one
thousand nine hundred twenty three. So remorse.
Thank you Mr President seeing no further announcements. I move
that the Senate adjourned until nine A.M.
Tomorrow morning so most of any delay over the ballots I think are needed that OK I
even motion on favor say aye aye those no. Sin is a joke.